Costs of the last two budgets don't constitute fruitless & wasteful expenditure - Treasury

CAPE TOWN - Treasury said the costs of the last two budgets don't constitute fruitless and wasteful expenditure.

But it said they would try to save some money in preparation for the third budget later in May, after spending R2.4 million on the February budget that was abandoned.

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has also faced written questions in Parliament from the EFF on whether there are any processes in place to try to recover the money spent on the February budget.

The focus will now shift back to Parliament for National Treasury, as the institution also grapples with finding a new venue for the third budget.

Treasury Director-General Professor Duncan Pieterse said this week that as far as the costs for hosting the budget were concerned, these were mainly related to travel, accommodation and advertising.

"And so, the costs associated with the past two budgets does not constitute fruitless and wasteful expenditure."

But Pieterse said they would still try save money where they can.

"So, for example for the next budget we are tabling, we’re going to cut down on the printing. Some of the documents will only be available electronically and we will cut down on other aspects of the budget."

Treasury won't only try to save money in hosting the budget but will also change the consultation process as it prepares future budgets.